MICHAEL HALDAS
Michael Haldas is an author, a religious educator, and a speaker. He wrote the book Sacramental Living: Understanding Christianity as a Way of Life, which he presented special leather bound editions of as gifts to both Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in private audiences at the Vatican and the Patriarchate. He is the author of Echoes of Truth: Christianity in the Lord of the Rings, which is available in both an illustrated version and a text only version; and a contributor to the anthology Amid Weeping There is Joy: Orthodox Perspectives on Tolkien's Fantastic Realm. Michael also has a long running podcast series with Ancient Faith Radio, a division of Ancient Faith Publishing, that is based on his book, Sacramental Living: Understanding Christianity as a Way of Life. Through the Orthodox Christian Network, Michael does weekly Live Adult Education classes and reflections. He was published monthly in Theosis Magazine and his work has been featured in The National Herald, Pravmir, and other publications. He is also a member of the Orientale Lumen Foundation and the Orthodox Speakers Bureau. He teaches adult religious education at the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George in Bethesda, Maryland, and has done Zoom classes for the St. Nicholas OCA Cathedral in Washington DC. He has also worked with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Religious Education Department to create educational lessons and materials. Michael also writes poetry and his poems has been featured in Maryland Bards 2022-2024, Poets of Promise, Bards Against Hunger, Silk Road Poetry Blog, Whitman Bicentennial, Poets Anonymous, Eastern Sea Bards, and in From Darkness to Light and Sweet Melancholy of Autumn Chapbooks. His poetry is also featured in the Fellowship and Fairydust website and his poems will be in the upcoming Fall 2024 issue of the Rule of Faith: Journal of Orthodox Though and Culture. (Michael Haldas curriculum vitae)